Thrissur: Thrissur corporation officials have started super chlorination of water bodies which are used as sources of drinking water after reports of as many as four major outbreaks of jaundice were reported within the city limits this summer.
For super chlorination, double the amount of chlorine, usually used for cleaning water, is used.
The officials on Monday collected water samples from flats in Kannamkulangara, Kottappadi and from near Thiruvambadi temple.
According to DMO Dr K.J. Reena, four outbreaks--one with with as many as 40 person getting affected--along with two outbreaks with 23 affected and another one with 20 suffering the water-borne disease occurred in the Thrissur corporation limits in the past 45 days.
“Those who attended a wedding reception at Ollur and students of Brahmaswam Madam who attended a feast at Thiruvambadi temple recently had contracted jaundice. Water from opens wells of the flats and apartments have been collected and sent for testing. A review of the situation will be done after a week of super chlorination,” the DMO said.
Water from inside the Thiruvambady temple was used for the feast held inside the temple. Water filters have been installed there and after the outbreak was reported, she added.
Dr Reena said the most effective preventive measure would be to drink only boiled water. “Care needs to be taken to prevent mixing of drinking water sources with septic waste,” she said.
The viruses Hepatitis A and E cause jaundice that affects liver.
The samples of water collected from the Corporation limit have been sent for testing and the results are expected to arrive in a week, health department officials said.
